CyberDIVA
Free in-person event
9.30 to 16.00 Wednesday 25th February
CyberDIVA is an Innovate UK–funded project led by Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy at Aston University, in partnership with Forensic Pathways, and supported by the Department for Science, Information & Technology and the West Midlands Police.
The project examines how gender-based violence operates across both open and concealed digital environments and works to strengthen cross-sector responses through research, collaboration and practical tools. This conference on Wednesday, 25th February 2026 at Conference Aston, Aston University brings together practitioners, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and safeguarding professionals to move beyond awareness, and focus on coordinated, real-world action.
CyberDIVA Conference Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 | Arrival & Registration
10:00 – 10:05 | Welcome & Opening Remarks - Professor Osama Khan, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Aston University
10:05 – 10:20 | CyberDIVA: Project Overview & Research Context - Dr. Anitha Chinnaswamy, Project Lead & Programme Director, MSc CyberSecurity Management
10:20 – 10:30 | Introduction to the Dark Web - John Thornton, Forensic Pathways
10:30 – 10:40 | CyberDIVA Toolkit Launch - Ben Leary, Forensic Pathways
10:40 – 10:50 | Address – Daljinder Mattu, Senior Policy Lead Cyber Security in the Midlands for Department for Science Innovation and Technology
10:50 – 11:10 | Keynote Address – Andrew Briercliffe – Online Harms: Truths, Facts & Reality
11:10 – 11:20 | Coffee Break
11:20 – 11:50 | Fireside Chat with Nina Jane Patel,: Emerging Realities: Protecting the Human Experience in Embodied and Evolving Online Spaces
11:50 - 12:10 | Keynote Address - Amit Singh Kalley – Digital culture, safeguarding & parental engagement
12:10 – 12:40 | Case Spotlight with Harkirat Kaur Assi: The Sweet Bobby Investigation & Aftermath
12:40 – 13:30 | Lunch & Networking
13:30 – 14:30 | Panel Discussion: From Hidden Harm to Systemic Accountability: Are Our Responses to Online Abuse Fit for Purpose?
Revinder Johal - Head of Service Domestic Abuse at Birmingham City Council
Wayne Horkan - Founder, West Midlands Cyber Hub & Head of Security, Engineering and Technology, Cyber Tzar
Shaila Parvez - VAWG Expert & Manager, Roshni Birmingham
Prof Deborah Leary OBE - CEO, Forensic Pathways
Andrew Briercliffe - Online Harms, Child Safety, Trust & Safety Professional
14:30 – 15:30 | Immersive Cyber Challenge led by Regional Cyber Crime Unit – West Midlands
15:30 – 16:00 | Reflections, Next Steps & Close
Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyberdiva-tackling-cyber-violence-against-women-and-girls-tickets-1981358329099?aff=oddtdtcreator